About our Bishop

Gary Rivas was born in Germiston, South Africa on 30 December 1967. Early on in his life, he felt a calling to ministry and was involved in leading youth and young adults’ ministries in the church where he grew up. Gary met his wife, Jacqui in 1987 and they were married in 1992. Gary was stationed in the Germiston Mission Circuit in 1996 and then in East London from 1997-1999. Jacqui also candidated for ordained ministry and was ordained in 2003.

In 2000, Gary, Jacqui and their 2 young children moved to the Fourways Circuit and in 2004, they planted Gracepoint Church together and have lead it from strength to strength. Gary has served as the superintendent of the Fourways Circuit for 8 years and was elected as Bishop of the Central District in 2015.

Gary holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from the University of Pretoria and is currently taking up his doctoral studies through the Wesley House at Cambridge University. He is also on the boards of Alpha South Africa and the Willow Creek Association South Africa.

Gary is the devoted father of two young adults, Rebekah and Daniel, both of whom are following in their parents’ footsteps in pursuing the vocation of ministry. Gary is a biking, motor-biking and golf enthusiast and is a bold and dynamic speaker and preacher, a visionary leader and a truly dedicated servant of God.